Switch box



Patented Nov. 2, 1926.

UNITED STATES WILLIAM W. BURK AND RAY A. FOX, OF FOREST, OHIO.

SWITCH BOX.

Application filed November 25, 1924. Serial No. 752,188.

This invention relates to sectional switch boxes, the primary object of the invention being to provide a switch box having adjustable securing members which may be secured in their positions of adjustment after the box has been properly positioned, eliminating the necessity of adjusting the flanges prior to the positioning of the box.

Another important object of the invent on is to provide means whereby the adjustlng screw for holding the securing members, Wlll be supported at an angle with respect to the side walls of the switch box, so that a'person may have easy access to the adjusting screws to operate them.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in 'the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, may be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevational view disclosing the interior of a switch box constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is an end elevational view.

Figure 3 is a side elevational view of a switch box.

Figure 4 is a fragmental sectional view disclosing the means for connecting the ends of the switch box to the body thereof.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of one of the flanged members employed in connection with the adjustable securing members.

Figure 6 is a blank from which a switch box section is made.

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken on line 77 of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a sectional view through the body of the switch box and oneof the securing members.

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken on line 99 of Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of one of the adjustable securing members.

Figure 11 is a perspective view of one of the removable members employed for securing adjacent sections together.

Figure 12 is a fragmental elevational view illustrating a modified form of securing 'device for securing sections together, and

Figure-13 is a sectional view taken on line 1313 of Figure 12. Referring to the drawings in detail, the reference character 5 indicates a blank constructed of metal and stamped in such a way as to provide a substantially U-shaped body portion when the end sections of the blank are bent upwardly.

On each edge of the box or body portion is formed a cut out portion 6 and a tongue 7, thetongue and cutout portion being so formed that when two or more hotly portions are brought together in the formation of a large switch box, the tongues of one body portion will fit within the cut out portions of the adjacent sections for the reception of the removable securing members 8.

When two or more sections are brought together, the securing members 8 are positioned on the sections by means of bolts extended through the openings 9 of the securing members and openings 10 of the body portions, the bolts for securing the members 8 being indicated at 11.

The body portion, or each section is formed with offset portions 12 which'are formed with openings 13 through which the securing screws 14 pass, the securing screws passing into the threaded opening of the securing member 15 associated therewith. The Securing member 15 is formed from a length of sheet metal constructed to provide lateral flanges 16 that are designed to lie in spaced relation with the body portion to accommodate the fingers 17 of the adjustable securing members 18, whereupon the member 15 may be secured to closely grip the fingers 17 and hold the members 18 intheir positions of adjustment.

The ends of the switch box are indicated at 8' and are provided with offset portions 9 providing recesses for the reception of the flanges of the securing members 8, bolts 11 being provided for securing the members 8 in position in a manner as clearly shown by Figure 4 of the drawings.

Openings 12' are formed in the ends of the box for the reception of nails should it be desired to secure the box by nailing directly to the studding. Enlargements 13 are also formed on the end walls, which en larp'ements extend to positions in planes with the members 7 and 8 so that when the box is secured by nailing to the end walls, the box will be level, due to the engagement of the members 13 with the studding.

On opposite sides of each section are formed fingers 5" which fingers act as stops to engage the adjacent section or end member to prevent lateral movement thereof. It might be further stated that in devices of this characten it s necessary to adjust the body portion with respect to the thickness of the plastering in the wall in which the device is to be positioned, and to this end, the body portion is positioned in a suitable opening formed in a wall and the body portion ino-red with respect to the securing members 18 to cause the outer surface 01 the switch her: to lie flush w th the wall.

Due to the construction, it will be obvious that when the body portion has been properly adjusted, the operator may readily and easily position a screw driverin the screws M to tighten them and hold the members 19 against movement, the adjustment being easily made, due to the angle at wh ch the securing screws 14 are disposed.

In the to m of the invention as illustrated by Figures '12 and 13, fingers 19 are proyided and formed integral with the body portion, which fingers are slightly oflset with respect to the walls of the body portion and are adapted to fit within the -open iugs 2O oi the end plates 21. Screws 2 eperate in suitable threaded openings ort the bodp portion, the heads of the screws 22 being designed to engage the body portion and end wall in a manner as shown by Figure 13 to hold the end wall securely in position.

Apertured ears 2 3 are formed on the body portion and are adapted to be extended at right angles with respect to the side walls of the body portion so that a switch block or mechanism may be readily secured with n the housing, by passing bolts through the switch mechanism and the ears 28.

e claim In a switch box, a body portion. otl'set portions forming a part of the side walls of the body portion, each oiiset portion including an apertured obliquely disposed portiom secur ng members said securing members having laterally extending flanges disposed in spaced relation with the side walls of the body portion, adjustable securing members including spaced fingers adapted to he positioned under the lateral flanges of the first mentioned securing members, said fingers adapted to lie on opposite sides of the otl set portions to prevent twisting of the adjustable securing members, and screws adapted to pass through the apertures of the obliquely disposed portions and through the adjustable securing members to cause the flai ges thereof to clamp the fingers in thei r positions of adjustment between the flanges and body portion.

In testimony that we claim the ioregoiugas our own, we have hereto affixed our signatures.

VILLIAM XV BURK. RAY A. FOX. 

